CONTACTS:
Wade Miller, CEO Central Oregon Pediatric Associates; 541.389.6313, [email protected]
Leslie Cogswell, Event Director Tour Des Chutes; 541.400.0341, [email protected]
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Tour Des Chutes has joined with Central Oregon Pediatric Associates (COPA) to launch a new non-profit organization,Pediatric Foundation, to benefit children and adolescents with cancer.
THE NEED
Pediatric Foundation is the only charitable organization providing direct financial and other assistance exclusively to Central Oregon families with children and adolescents who have cancer. These children must travel to receive life saving treatments outside the region at a children’s hospital specializing in pediatric oncology. As a result, families incur thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses, plus significant loss of income during frequent visits for surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, rehabilitation, follow-up evaluations, and more.
HOW THE IDEA STARTED
Pediatric Foundation was conceived by Gary Bonacker, founder of Tour Des Chutes cycling event and co-owner of Sunnyside Sports, and Dr. Dale Svendsen, a long-time pediatrician at COPA. Mr. Bonacker and Dr. Svendsen have both been seen the tremendous financial burden placed on families who have children and adolescents who must receive their treatments outside the area and they agreed to start an organization that can have a direct impact.
The annual Tour Des Chutes raises money to support adults with cancer and is committed to expanding the mission to include children and adolescents. Dr. Svendsen leads the oncology team at COPA and coordinates with out-of-area children’s hospitals the advanced treatments a local child with cancer receives. Both Tour Des Chutes and COPA are utilizing their internal resources to help initiate the Foundation.
WHAT’S NEXT
Pediatric Foundation is applying for 501c3 non-profit status, recruiting board members, and is establishing criteria for granting family awards. The organizers expect that the Foundation should begin granting awards to families by fourth quarter 2013. After the initial funding from Tour Des Chutes that will directly benefit children and adolescents with cancer, Pediatric Foundation will expand its fundraising efforts to include support of children with other chronic illnesses.
